Abstract: A non-slip, water resistant, oil resistant surface structure for use where water and/or oil are likely to create a slippery surface, including a rubber-bottom mat upon which a thrice coated, non-slip surfaced substrate is fastened, the coating on the substrate including crushed walnuts, or the equivalent, to provide for a non-slip surface and the coating comprising a thermosetting epoxy resin material with an amine hardener.

Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is disclosed that includes an internal drive mechanism which embodies the present invention. A pair of sprockets are connected to parallel input and output drive shafts and drivingly connected by a taut, high tension, endless cog-belt seated and running on the two sprockets. A plurality of belt stabilizing components are incorporated therein to provide maintenance-free, low-temperature operation of the drive mechanism. These stabilizing components include air ducts formed in the output sprocket, tensioning members formed in the belt, heat-resistant and high-speed ceramic ball bearings and shock absorbing springs that alone and in combination provide a highly efficient drive mechanism.

Abstract: A flat bed scanner of the type commonly used as a stand-alone computer peripheral in combination with a contact image sensor module, which extends the full width of the scanner area to provide a 1:1 scanning ratio using a rod lens to focus the image onto the image sensors, with or without a motor driven feed mechanism and which can scan the entire width of a standard sheet of paper in a single pass.

Abstract: A beam having a triangular cross-section, with concave inward side walls forming substantially an equilateral triangle in cross-section, with a convex curved apex at the intersection of each of the three walls, the convex curved apex being formed of a rubber-like material and each having a different radius of curvature to thereby provide a rounded walking surface, each walking surface providing a different degree of difficulty and resulting in a different applied pressure to the foot of the user upon walking along the length of the beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates a video monitor display positioning system of the type in widespread use in passenger-aircraft entertainment systems and includes a housing in which a video screen is rotatably positioned for rotation between a retracted position and an extended position, but with rotary motion provided through a hydraulic system that includes a mechanical linkage from the screen to a linear motion to rotational motion actuator subassembly which is in turn actuated by a hydraulic system that includes a cylinder, two mutually opposed, hollowed pistons, an internal spring positioned within the cavity formed by the hollow pistons, a hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic oil reservoir, an electric motor that controls a hydraulic pump, a solenoid valve and an over pressure switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the virtual production of an image, with a housing, an image projection device, which produces an image to be displayed. The housing has an observation opening in a wall of the housing with a fresnel lens arranged therein. Imaging optics arranged in the housing for depicting the object onto the fresnel lens. In order to ensure a large range of applications for this device, provision is made that the imaging optics have a concave mirror arranged in the path of light rays between the image projection device and the fresnel lens. The concave mirror lies opposite the fresnel lens and a ray divider is provided therebetween. To increase the illusion effect, a partially translucent mirror (spy mirror) is additionally arranged on the observation side of the fresnel lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination fiber optic (20) or an assembly including illumination fiber optics contained in a first polymeric layer (26) or in a channel and the first layer or channel including intumescent or other fire retardant material, and further contained within a second outer layer (28) or jacket made of a polymeric material which has the property of containing the combination sufficient to hinder the propagation of the fire and eventually extinguishing the flame. The fiber optic may be side light emitting, with the core, layer, channel and fire retardant materials being transparent or translucent, or may be end light emitting with the fiber optic being a layer core fiber optic and the outer layer being opaque.

Abstract: An adjustable orthopedic support pillow which includes a contoured top layer, a plurality of supporting layers, each having tongue-and-groove structures to enable the contoured layer to be removably supported by one or more additional supporting layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmatron for a plasma coating apparatus including an anode having an axial bore through which gas is passed around a cathode and an electric arc is established between the anode and cathode. A powder feed line or conduit is connected between the anode and a powder feed source. The feed line has a straight section along a portion of its length terminating at the axial bore of the anode. The straight section of feed line has a ratio of length to internal diameter at least about 4.8, preferably 10 and even more preferably 15.

Abstract: A light diverting channel for use in a scanner. The channel is incorporated into the cover of a flat bed scanner and transmits light from the lamps positioned longitudinally along the scanner, up through the side of the channel, and through a central region or sheet of the channel, and then down through objects to be scanned. The light diverting channel thereby more efficiently uses the light generated by the lamps and more evenly disburses the light over and through the object to be scanned.

Abstract: An optical fiber conduit comprising an optical fiber core surrounded by a cladding with a reflective material or holder and/or reflector attached adjacent to or in contact with the cladding covered optical fiber core along its longitudinal length and includes a plurality of illuminators that are formed by uniform cuts in the optical fiber core to emit reasonably even light perpendicularly along the length of the conduit outwardly. The light pattern can be made to emit various beam patterns from very narrow to very wide by altering the shape of the optical fiber core and/or by the cuts. The cut optical fiber is embedded in a clear environmentally protective coating to protect the cuts from dust and moisture and to maintain the alignment of the holder and/or reflector with optical elements and the optical fiber core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear light form, and its method of manufacture, having a light diverting outer layer that reflects and/or refracts ambient light directed towards the light form. The linear light form includes a light transmitting core, clad with a fluoropolymer cladding and subsequently jacketed with a polymeric finish jacket. A light diverting layer either inserted between the cladding and the jacket or surrounding the jacket is included in the linear light form. The light diverting layer preferably has the property of allowing light to be transmitted from the core out of the light form in one direction and reflecting ambient light directed towards the light form.

Abstract: A large core polymeric optical fiber having improved light transmitting characteristics includes a cladding filled with a light transmitting core. The core is formed during a polymerization reaction within the cladding in which the pressure internal to the cladding is greater than the pressure external to the cladding to form a pressure differential supported by the cladding.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improvement of ductility and strength performance of connections in structural steel buildings made typically with rolled structural shapes, specifically in bolted and/or welded beam-to-column connections with welded flanges, by greatly reducing the very significant uneven stress distribution found in the conventionally designed connection at the column/beam weld, through use of slots in column and/or beam webs with or without continuity plates in the area of the column between the column flanges, as well as, optionally, extended shear plate connections with additional columns of bolts for the purpose of reducing the stress concentration factor in the center of the flange welds. Moreover, the slots in beam web adjacent to the beam flanges allow the beam web and flange to buckle independently thereby eliminating the degrading of the beam strength caused by lateral-torsional bucking.

Abstract: An improved high resolution scanner for use in a conventional scanner housing. A light receiving guide transversely moves a conventional lens and CCD for scanning portions of an object to be scanned. The resulting scanned portions, when combined, produce a high resolution image of the scanned image.

Abstract: A stress reducing orthopedic pillow having a low density polyurethane foam outer region, a high density polyurethane foam middle region that are provided in both a unitary embodiment and in an embodiment that includes removably attachable layers, so that the size of the device may be adjusted to accommodate different sizes and preferences of individual users. The pillow advantageously includes leg clasps for securely engaging the inner thighs of an individual in a side lying position, the clasps including a stem and a pair of crescent shaped buttresses. The buttresses resist rotation to the prone and supine lying positions. The foam within the stem separates the knees to reduce spinal stress. Advantageously, a supine sleeping position is accommodated by positioning said pillow under the legs to flatten out the spine while supporting the legs at the thigh and calf regions.

Abstract: An optical, multi-resolution scanning apparatus for scanning transparent or opaque objects including a high resolution lens, a low resolution lens, a flip mirror switch which alternates between high resolution mode and low resolution mode of scanning, a flip mirror switch which alternates between transmissive mode and reflective mode of scanning whereby high and low resolution scanning of opaque and/or transparent objects may be accomplished through movement of flip mirror switches, without transverse movement of the lens assembly.